# PromptChar

The **PromptChar** is a character used to represent the absence of user input in the **RadMaskedInput** controls. The default value is an **underscore**. The **PromptChar** character will be displayed in the **RadMaskedInput** controls for any mask position that the user has not filled in yet.

#### **Example 1: Using the default PromptChar**

```XAML
<telerik:RadMaskedTextInput x:Name="maskedInput" Mask="####" />
```

#### **Figure 1 : Default prompt character**

![WinUI RadMaskedInput Default prompt character](https://www.telerik.com/winui/documentation/assets/4fba297c2157ec631ddddce3b63f4a41/radmaskedinput-features-promptchar-default.png)

When the **Value** of a **RadMaskedInput** control contains an underscore character, it will be removed when you use the default prompt character. This is because of the default prompt character of the control is underscore character **"\_"**. You can alter this behavior by changing the default **PromptChar** or setting the **ValueMode** property to **IncludePromptAndLiterals** or **IncludePromptChar**.

**Example 2** demonstrates how to change the default **PromptChar** of the control.

#### **Example 2: Change the default prompt char**

```C#
	this.maskedInput.PromptChar = '$';
```

#### **Figure 2: Custom prompt character**

![WinUI RadMaskedInput Custom prompt character](https://www.telerik.com/winui/documentation/assets/75369d2693dc44089c9c51d1f3d02102/radmaskedinput-features-promptchar-custom.png)

## See Also

* [Getting Started](https://www.telerik.com/winui/documentation/controls/radmaskedinput/getting-started)
* [Common Properties](https://www.telerik.com/winui/documentation/controls/radmaskedinput/features/key-properties)
* [Mask Types](https://www.telerik.com/winui/documentation/controls/radmaskedinput/mask-types/overview)